Lockdown Lessons

How are you finding lockdown?

For me, it’s been a coronacoaster.

There are frustrations

Do you miss people? I do.

Despite seeing more of some people online than I ever did before the lockdown.

I miss being around people other than my family. Accidental nudges on the train, wry smiles with strangers, inconsequential chat while waiting in the coffee line or at the school gates.

I miss hugs.

I miss popping to the shops on a whim because we have run out of something totally unnecessary.

I miss laughing, the kind of deep belly chuckle you can only get after a few too many wines/gins, as you put the world to rights with your best mates. And yes I know you can do that on zoom, but it’s not the same.

I miss walking through a busy restaurant, pushing open the door and walking out into the rain.

I miss holiday planning and the countdown til departure - crossing the days off in my mind, anticipation of sun kissed locks and lazy days with family. Yes we will hate each other by the time the holiday is over, but there is always the next one!

There is a lot to be grateful for

I’m grateful for the quality time with my family – having time to listen, to laugh, notice the little things that we had forgotten or stopped noticing about one another.

As a family we are more joyful (well as joyful as teenage boys and a middle-aged man can be)

We are all healthy and we are safe. Not everyone can say that just now.

I’m grateful we have a garden and that we live near to nature where we can exercise.

I love just having time.

We are lucky enough to have the technology so we can Zoom with the people we care about – for me that includes Ireland, Canada and beyond.

It’s strange that I feel closer to people who live further away.

And like everyone else, I’m getting to know my neighbours - Who knew a Thursday night zoom quiz could be so much fun?

I’m appreciating every human interaction I now have, much more that I thought possible. Chats over the fence are much more important. Appreciation feels more tangible than before.

I’m grateful that I have my side hustles – to keep my mind sharp and occupied but mostly to keep my Joy topped up.

And I am eternally grateful to those who are working and putting their lives at risk just now.

Grateful that they are there, and that I don’t need to be. I cry every Thursday at the clap for carers - feeling the love and gratitude from every one of my neighbours.

What I’ve learned

As long as you have your rocks – your health, your family and relationships and a side hustle that lights you up, everything else is optional.

This has been a total reset on the world and each of us. Physical things don’t seem as important.

Apart from fence paint, I have spent a disproportionate amount of time in lockdown searching for that.

What have you learned during lockdown?